Balchem (Nasdaq: BCPC) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Balchem missed estimates on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged, and GAAP earnings per share stayed the same.

Gross margins dropped, operating margins contracted, and net margins increased.

Revenue details
Balchem logged revenue of $69.7 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $77.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $69.8 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.31. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.35 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.31 were the same as the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 29.9%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.6%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.6%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $79.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.35.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $324 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.52.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 320 members rating the stock outperform and six members rating it underperform. Among 86 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 86 give Balchem a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Balchem is hold, with an average price target of $35.33.

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